Cultural diversity
Language used at home
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Golden Bay, accounting for 89% (5,045 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,735 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Golden Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Golden Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Golden Bay, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
English
2021 count
5,045
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
5,045
89.0%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
305
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
305
5.4%
-1.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
36
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
36
0.6%
-0.3pp
Indonesian
2021 count
28
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
28
0.5%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
26
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.5%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
21
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
21
0.4%
-0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.3%
-
French
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.3%
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.3%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,735
+1.6pp
Not stated
+54
-1.2pp
Afrikaans
+1
-0.3pp
Indonesian
+19
+0.3pp
Spanish
+9
+0.1pp
Italian
-2
-0.2pp
French
+5
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
-2
-0.1pp
German
0
-0.1pp
Portuguese
+4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Golden Bay. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,045 | 89.0% | 86.1% | 3,310 | 87.4% | 85.2% | +1,735 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 305 | 5.4% | 5.8% | 251 | 6.6% | 7.1% | +54 | -1.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 36 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +1 | -0.3pp |
| Indonesian | 28 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 26 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 21 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Thai | 17 | 0.3% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| French | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 15 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| German | 12 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 5,669 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,882 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.